Paint roller end cap



NOV. 28, 1967 R s 3,354,493

PAINT ROLLER END CAP Filed Oct. 24, 1965 United States Patent 3,354,493PAINT ROLLER END CAP John A. Pharris, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor t0 EZPaint! Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 24, 1965, Ser.No. 504,494 8 Claims. (Cl. 15230.11)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Phis invention pertains in general to paintapplying devices, and more particularly to a new and improved paintroller.

-In the past, it has been well known to remov-ably mount apaint'applyingsieeve on the axle of a paint roller device.

jSuchtroller devices have usually included end caps (commonly formed ofa suitable plastic material) at opposite 'ends of the axle that arerotatably mounted thereon, and which telescopically receive the paintapplying sleeve. Stop means, such as a washer held by a screw, have beenconventionally provided at the outer end of the axle to prevent the endcap on this end of the axle from being "removed. A closure member iscommonly provided over the, outer end of the last mentioned end cap toprevent paint and the like from accumulating around the stop means, andto provide a more attractive finished looking product. The paintapplying sleeves which are in common-use, usually employ a somewhatporous backing member; and paint remover, paint thinner, and paintitself have exhibited a tendency to seep through the paint applyingsleeve, and around the outer ends thereof. Such fluids have commonly runalong the axle of the paint applying member, and passed between the hubof the outer- .m'ost sleeve and the axle, to become trapped in a chamberformed between the hub and the closure member.

W|hen the paint applying device is subsequently used with .a differentcolor paint, or with a new paint applying sleeve,

.the fluid trapped in the above mentioned chamber commonly runs outwardytherefrom and through the paint applying sleeve to cause a streaking ordiscoloration of the paint being. applied. Accordingly, the generalpurpose lot this invention is to provide a paint applying device of thecharacter described which eliminates streaking and discoloration of thepaint being applied.

Amore specific object of the invention is to provide the end cap chamberof a paint applying device as described above with passage means so thatundesirable fluids will not accumulate therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an end cap for a paintapplying device which will support a paint applying sleeve for rotationwith a minimum amount of friction, and which is extremely sturdy, andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

These and other objects of the invention will hereinl'after become morefully apparent from the following de scription taken in connection withthe annexed drawing,

wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint applying device utiiZing'apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

Patented Nov. 28, 1967 FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view takengenerally along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a typicalprior art construction; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many difierentforms, there is shown in the drawing and will herein be described indetail one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplifica-tion of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed outin the appended claims.

The illustrated embodiment of the paint applying de vice 10 is shown inFIG. 1 to have a longitudinally extending handle 11, with a rod 12extending outwardly therefrom and having first portion 13 inclined withrespect to the axis of the handle, a second portion 14 generallyparallel with handle 11, and a third portion 15 dis posed at rightangles with respect to handle 11 and defining an axle. A first end cap16 is provided on axle 15 adjacent rod portion 14, and this end cap maybe of any conventional design, and will hereinafter be referred to asthe inner end cap. The second end cap 17 is provided at the outer end ofthe axle 15, and forms the subject matter of the present invention. Theend cap 17 will hereinafter be referred to as the outer end cap.

As is well known in the art, a paint applying member 20 is formedgenerally integrally with a suitable hollow cylindrical backing member19, which is removab-ly retained on the end caps 16 and 17, as byfriction or the like. As is well known, the backing member 19 and paintapplying member 20 are somewhat porous, so as to enable fluids to seeptherethrough, and around their portions of engagement with the end caps16 and 17.

The typical prior art end cap construction will be described first, sothat the advantages of applicants construction will be more easilyunderstood. The typical prior art end cap construction 17' is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 to include a hollow cylindrical hub 22, which rotatablymounts the end cap 17 on the axle 15. Hub 22 includes an enlargedportion 23 which defines a shoulder 24 against which stop means in theform of washer 25 are seated. The washer 25 is retained on axle 15 as bythe outwardly struck portions 26 thereof. End cap 17 further includes ahollow cylindrical rim 27 spaced concentrically outwardly from hub 22,and a flange or end wall 28 connects enlarged hub portion 23 and rim 27.An an- :nular recess 29 is provided in flange 28, and a circular closuremember 30 is seated therein. As is clear from FIG. 5, when the closuremember 30 is in place, a chamber 32 is formed between the shoulder 24and the closure member 30. Closure member 30 may be provided with axialextensions 31 that engage the wall of chamber 32 to positively retainthe closure member in place. It will be readily apparent that fluidwhich is present within the interior of the paint applying device willhave a tendency to work its way along the bore 33 of hub 22 into thechamber 32. The fluid will then be substantially trapped in chamber 32during periods when the paint roller is not in use, and when the painroller is subsequently used, the fluid escapes from chamber 32 along thebore 33 of hub 22 into the interior of the paint applying device, whereit then seeps through the backing member 19. As will be readilyunderstood, this results in a streaking and discoloration of the paintbeing presently applied.

Applicants device includes a cylindrically shaped hub 40 having an axialbore 41 receiving theaxle 15 therethrough to rotatably mount the'sleeve19, 20--on the" axle 15. End cap 17 includes a hollow cylindrical wall42 spaced concentrically outwardly of hub 40. As can be best seen inFIG. 3, wallt42 -is substantially longer than hub 40, and hub 40 isspaced adjacent the left hand end 435ofthe wall 42. The right hand, orouter end, of end cap 17 includes a radially inwardly extending flange-44 having a central opening 45.

A recess is providedlin the outer periphery of wall 42 adjacent-theright-hand -thereof, ancl is defined by an antnular surface 47 disposedat substantially right angles to the'axle 15; and a convex surface 48'facing surface 47. Convex surface 48terminates-radially inwardly, of theouter periphery of wall-42 to define a somewhat pointed endcttpportion49. A generally circular closure member 50 is provided for'the righthand end of end cap 17, and closurememberSO includes a somewhat axiallyand ra dially'inwardly extending hook portion 51 which is shapedgenerally complementarily to therecess defined by surfaces 47 and 48.The inner diameter of the closure hook portion51 is less than the outerdiameter of the end cap portion-49, so that theclosure member 50 maybesnapped into place on the end cap 17. For this'purpose, it will beunderstood, that the closure member tlis preferably formed'ofa plasticmaterial having a sufiicient amount of resilience to enable the same tobe snapped onto the end cap'17, and to be readily removable therefrom.The largest radial dimension of the closure member 50, which exists atth'e portion thereof sitting over-end cap portion 49 'is preferably lessthan, or the same as, the diameter of the other'periphery of wall 42 sothat the paint applying' member canbe' readily positioned on 'the'en'dcap 17. It will be readily understood that'when the closure member 50isin place on the end cap; 17; a chamber 52 is provided. at the right-handend of the 'end' capi 17; Passage means, to be hereinafter described,communicate with chamber52'so as to preventaccumulation offluids-therein.

A plurality of radially extending webs 53=connect hub 40 with flange441'Webs'53aareprovided on diametricallyvopposed sides of hubi40 frornwebs53, and are shaped generally identically therewith. Wh'ile two webs5'3:- and two: webs 5351 have" been-shown in the illustrated embodiment;it should b'eiunde'rstood that more webs may be providediffdesired'; Ascan ber best seen-in FIG. 3, webs 53 are"inclined =rearwardly fromflanget44-to hub 40, and asurface 54'-is providedon'the forward: face ofthe webs which is: generally perpendicular tothe axis: of axle'15':

A- pair of diametrically opposed webs 55': extend generally radiallyvbetween hub40 and wall 42, and include a forwardly extendinginclinedportion .5521 whichis integraliwith'fiange 44-. Webs -55includ'e surfaces-.56which are" disposed at substantially right'anglesto theaxis of axle 15," andiwhich are substantially coplanar with..websurfacesz54- and theforward or outer end of the. hub 40. Generallycylindrically shaped strengthening ribs-57 are formed integrallywitheachuweb 55;' and extend axially rearwardlyfrom fiange-44between'hub 40 and wall :42. It'will: be: understood, of course, thatwebs 55" provide transverse rigidity for? wall" 421 in one I direction,while allowing it to compress sli'g-htlydn :a diametrically opposeddisectionso as'to enable th'e paint applying member to be mounted on theend cap 17 Means: are provided'for preventing the end cap 17 from movingaxially outwardly of axle 15; and'includes an internally threadedbore'60 at the outer end of the axle. A screw 61 is threadably receivedin bore 60', and

a washer 62 is provided. under the enlarged head of' screw 61. Washer 62abuts against the outer surface of hub 40, and against the surfaces 54and 56'on webs 53 and 55' respectively, to prevent the endcap 17' frommovingjaxially outwardlyof the axle 15. Movement of the end cap 17axially inwardly along the axle 15' is preventedby-the-engagementof 'theclosure member 50 with the head of 'the'screw 61;

The above mentioned passage means-forchamber 52 are formed by the openareas between the webs 53, 53a and 55. As can be best seen in FIG. 2,generally segment shaped openings 64 are provided between the outer diameter of the washer 62' and' the inner diameter of the opening-45 inflange 44. Thus, any fluid which -is present in the chamber 52 willreadily and quickly run outwardly therefrom, and the problem of fluidaccumulation in the end cap chamber is obviated; Accordingly, it isbelieved obvious that each of the advantages of the invention have beenfully achieved' I claim:

1. In a paint roller having a handle and an axle dis posed at generallyright angles with respectthereto; a" first paint applying sleevesupporting member rotatably mounted at one end of said axle; a second'p'aint. applying sleeve supporting member at'the other end of saidaxleand including, a hollow cylindrical outer wall havingfi'rst and second"ends, a hollow cylindricalhub' rotatablyre ceiving'said axle thereinandspacedaxially from'the first end of said'outer wall to definea'ch'amb'ertherebetween, webmeans'joining said'hub andsaid outer'wallraclo'sure member removably mounted onthe firsfendofsaid outer walloutwardly of an'end'ofsaid axle and closing one end of said chamber,passage means in the other. end of said chamber for allowing fluid to"flow outwardly therefrom; and a paintapplyingsleeve' telescopicallyreceived on said first and second supporting members.

2. In a paint roller having a handle andan axle disposed at generallyright angles'w'ithrespectthereto; a fi'rstpaint applying sleevesupporting member rotatably mounted'at one end of said axle;a'secondpaint applying sleeve supporting member at the other end ofsaid'axle and. including, a hollow'cylindrical outer'wall having-firstand second en'ds, an annular'fiange extending radially irrwardly fromthe first end of said outer Wall, a hollow cylindrical hub rotatablyreceiving said axle therein and spaced axially from the first end of"said outer wallto definea'chainbe'r therebetween, a; closureniember'removably mounted on the first end of said outer wall'outwardlyof an endiof'said' axle andclosing'one endbf'said'charnber, a pluralityof fwebs-extending between said flange and saidhub', said webs beingspaced'from one another todefine-passage means in the other endofsaid'chambe'r for allowingfiuidto flow outwardly therefrom; and a paintapplying sleeve'telescopically received'on said first and secondsupporting members.

3'. A paint roller as defined in'claim2whe'rein' apair of'di'ametricallyopposed'webs connect said'hub"and"said outer wall.

4. In apaint'r'oller having 'a-handle' and an axleidisposed atgenerallyrightangles with respect'thereto;;a first paint applying sleevesupporting member rotatably mounted at one end'of said" axle;asecond'painfapplying sleeve supportingmember atthe other endof. saidaxle and-including, a hollow cylindrical outer Wall'hav'ing'first andsecond ends; an annular-fiange extending radially inwardly fromth'efirst end of'said outer' wall, a" hollow cylindrical hub rotatablyreceiving said 'ax1e"therein "and spaced axially from the first end-ofsaid outer wall-to define' a= chamber therebetween, a closure memberremovably mounted on the first end -of said-outer walfoutward- 1y of anend of said axle and closing one end: of saidlch'amber, diametricallyopposed inclined webs extending'sbetween said hub and said-flange,diametrically opposed webs extending, between said hub and said outerwall, said last named webs each including an inclined portion extendingto said flange, each of said websbeing spaced fromone another to definepassage means in the other end of saidchamber for allowingfiuid to flowoutwardly therefrom; and a paint applying sleeve telescopically receivedon said first andsecondsupportingrnembers:

5. An end cap for rotatably mounting one endof a paint applying sleeveon an axle' comprising: a hollow cylindrical-hub adapted tob'e'rotatablymounted' onsai'd axle; a hollow cylindrical rim concentric with said huband having first and second ends, said rim being longer than said huband said hub being positioned adjacent said second rim end so as todefine a chamber between said hub and the first rim end; web meansextending between said hub and said rim; a closure member removablymounted on the first rim end outwardly of an end of said axle andclosing one end of said chamber; and passage means in the other end ofsaid chamber between said hub and said rim for allowing fluids in saidchamber to pass freely outwardly therefrom.

6. An end cap for rotatably mounting one end of a paint applying sleeveon an axle comprising: a hollow cylindrical hub adapted to be rotatablymounted on said axle; a hollow cylindrical rim concentric with said huband having first and second ends, said rim being longer than said huband said hub being positioned adjacent said second rim end so as todefine a chamber between said hub and the first rim end; a flangeextending radially inwardly from said first rim end; a closure memberremovably mounted on the first rim end outwardly of an end of said axleand closing one end of said chamber; and a plurality of webs extendingbetween said flange and said web,"said webs being spaced from oneanother to define passage means in the other end of said chamber betweensaid hub and said rim for allowing fluids in said chamber to pass freelyoutwardly therefrom.

7. An end cap for rotatably mounting one end of a paint applying sleeveon an axle comprising: a hollow cylindrical hub adapted to be rotatablymounted on said axle and having first and second ends; a hollowcylindrical rim concentric with said hub and having first and secondends, said rim being longer than said hub and said hub being positionedwith the second hub end adjacent said second rim end so as to define achamber between the first hub end and the first rim end; a flangeextending radially inwardly from said first rim end; a closure memberremovably mounted on the first rim end and outwardly of an end of saidaxle closing one end of said chamber;

diametrically opposed inclined webs extending between said hub and saidflange, diametrically opposed webs extending between said hub and saidrim, said last named webs each including an inclined portion extendingto said flange, each of said webs being spaced from one another todefine passage means in the other end of said chamber between said huband said rim for allowing fluids in said chamber to pass freelyoutwardly therefrom.

8. An end cap for rotatably mounting one end of a paint applying sleeveon an axle comprising: a hollow cylindrical hub adapted to be rotatablymounted on said axle and having first and second ends; a hollowcylindrical rim concentric with said hub and having first and secondends, said rim being longer than said hub and said hub being positionedwith the second hub end adjacent said second rim end so as to define achamber between the first hub end and the first rim end; a flangeextending radially inwardly from said first rim end; a closure member onthe first rim end closing one end of said chamber; diametrically opposedinclined webs extending between said hub and said flange, diametricallyopposed webs extending between said hub and said rim, said last namedwebs each including an inclined portion extending to said flange, eachof said webs being spaced from one another to define passage means inthe other end of said chamber between said hub and said rim for allowingfluids in said chamber to pass freely outwardly therefrom, and each ofsaid webs including a surface generally coplanar with the first hub endto define therewith an abutment adapted to be engaged by stop meanscarried by said axle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,684,497 7/1954 Graham 15-23011X 2,977,671 4/1961 Wiegaud 29-116 3,119.137 1/1964 Schueler 15230.11

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A PAINT ROLLER HAVING A HANDLE AND AN AXLE DISPOSED AT GENERALLYRIGHT ANGLES WITH RESPECT THERETO; A FIRST PAINT APPLYING SLEEVESUPPORTING MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED AT ONE END OF SAID AXLE; A SECONDPAINT APPLYING SLEEVE SUPPORTING MEMBER AT THE OTHER END OF SAID AXLEAND INCLUDING, A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL OUTER WALL HAVING FIRST AND SECONDENDS, A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL HUB ROTATABLY RECEIVING SAID AXLE THEREIN ANDSPACED AXIALLY FROM THE FIRST END OF THE SAID OUTER WALL TO DEFINE ACHAMBER THEREBETWEEN,